As a busy wife, and mother of 9 finding time for self-love in between taking out the garbage, cooking meals and driving kids around town is a difficult task. What I have learned over my 24 years parenting is that if you do not squeeze in time for self-love, you won’t have the energy to pour love onto your family, friends and community. Not only am I a mother; I am also a creative soul. By spending time creating I express my emotions, fill myself with joy and gain the energy and excitement I need to continue on with my day. It is straining on all women to just give all day. In order to give, you need to first take in. I try to balance myself by doing activities that helps me take in creative energy and then ones that allow the creative ideas to flow out. All of the tasks on my list I try to fit into my daily routine so I can fill my heart and have more to pour out to others. Since I began using this list to form my days, I am more creative, more productive and filled with love for myself and my life.
Daily Creative INs & OUTs
IN – Read one thing. (One chapter, one paragraph, one magazine, one Bible verse, one blog)
OUT – Draw one thing. (A doodle, a journal page, a larger piece of art, a note for my kid’s lunch)
IN – Watch one thing. (Usually a YouTube© video about an art technique, a lesson of some kind, or something else inspiring or educational)
OUT – Create one thing. (A craft with the kids, a decorative item for my home, a scrapbook page or make a gift for someone)
IN – Have a good conversation with a friend. (Phone call, texting, lunch date, baking together, big cooks or a walk)
OUT – Write one thing. (A list, a note, a card, a letter, a blog post, an encouraging email, a poem, a story)
If you can carve out a bit of extra time plan a weekend away. This weekend I am going up North for the weekend with a few other foster mom friends. We will sleep, chat, eat, laugh, cry and sleep. Did I mention sleep? One of the only times during the year that I will have uninterrupted sleep is when I go away. These weekends are so refreshing and allow me to miss my kids. Breaks are so needed for way too many moms who just don’t make the time to get away. I can hear you already saying how impossible it would be for you. Well, if I can do it, so can you! We’ve got 7 kids at home currently and others moved out with our grandchildren and work schedules to work around and driving to classes but we figure it all out and everyone helps so Mom can get a small break and refresh. You could also go away with your hubby or even alone. The insane amount of work it is to pack up all of our kids and figure out the logistics of their lives for a few days is so worth the rest. I challenge you to look at your calendar this week and start planning an adventure for you with anyone who will bring you joy.
SDG
Adelle On Fire 
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